Magazine structure for selfprocessing film



Feb. 16, 1954 E. H. LAND 2,669,168

MAGAZINE STRUCTURE FOR SELF-PROCESSING FILM Origin al Filed Nov. 5, 1946 4 SheetsSheet l (fin-Q N' FIG. I

7 1 g y A FIG. 2

Feb. 16, 1954 E. H. LAND 2,669,168

MAGAZINE STRUCTURE FOR SELF-PROCESSING FILM Original Filed Nov. 5, 1946 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 a 1 1 FIG. 3

W yf-dmcigz Carrying Layer 64 FIG. 4

Phorosensifive Layer lNV NTOR T" 68 L w mf ihm ZQZMAJ/ 1954 E. H. LAND 2,669,168

MAGAZINE STRUCTURE FOR SELF-PROCESSING FILM Original Filed Nov. 5, 1946 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG. 7

LMA 7 3O INVENTOR F 3, BY 35 Feb. 16, 1954 E. H. LAND MAGAZINE STRUCTURE FOR SELF-PROCESSING FILM 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Original Filed Nov. 5, 1946 INVENTOR mdvgw BY FIG FIG. 9

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MAGAZINE STRUCTURE FOR SELF- PROCESSING FILM Edwin H. Land, Cambridge, Mass., assignor to Polaroid Corporation, Cambridge, Mass., a corporation of Delaware Original application November 5, 1946, Serial No.

707,966, now Patent No. 2,495,111, dated January 17, 1950. Divided and this application December 21, 1949, Serial No. 134,154

8 Claims. (Cl. 9513) Thi invention relates to photography and more particularly to novel magazine structures for photographic film assemblages, said magazine structures housing said assemblages and being capable of subjecting the same to a predetermined processing.

This application is a division of my copending application Serial No. 707,966 for Photographic Product, filed November 5, 1946 (now Patent No. 2,495,111, issued January 17, 1950).

It is one object of the present invention to pro vide a novel magazine for a photographic film assemblage of the type comprising a photosensitive layer, another layer and a container having therein a liquid composition, said magazine mounting the photosensitive layer of said assemblage in one portion thereof and the other layers of said assemblage in a diilerent portion thereof, the magazine being so constructed that by a simple pulling operation one of the layers can be moved into a predetermined operative processing relationship with the container and the other layer and the assemblage processed to produce therein a positive image.

Another object of the invention is to provide a photographic product comprising a novel housing or magazine for at least one film assemblage of the type releasably containing a liquid, said housing having a processing means for each film assemblage, said means being capable of per e forming one or more or" the functions of releasing said liquid within said assemblage, spreading said liquid between two layers of the film assemblage, wiping the excess liquid from the sides and end of the assemblage and forming a light seal for the housing.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel photographic product of the above type providing a novel magazine which is cheap, simple to assemble, disposable and embodies within itself all the means necessary to process a film assemblage, acting as a trap for any excess processing liquid and being usable in standard film pack cameras so that a positive image can be directly obtained with existing cameras.

These and other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part appear hereinafter.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

,Figure 1 is an exaggerated schematic partially cross-sectional view of a preferred modification of the invention showing its relationship to a camera;

Fig. 2 is an exaggerated diagrammatic fragmentary perspective view of a portion of the novel photographic film assemblage of the above type showing the relationship of the elements thereoi during the use of the invention;

Fig. 3 is an exaggerated diagrammatic sectional view of another modification of the invention;

Fig. 4 is a front View of a modification of the invention shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional exaggerated view of another modification of th invention where the containers are mounted in staggered relationship to each other;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary diagrammatic crosssectional exaggerated view of still another modification f the invention Fig. 7 is a front view of the modification of the invention shown in Fig. 6

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary diagrammatic crosssectional exaggerated view of still another modification of the invention;

Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic fragmentary crosssectional view of a modified withdrawal opening contemplated by the present invention; and

Fig. 10 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view of another type of withdrawal opening.

In general, this application relates to a photographic product comprising a novel magazine structure for one or more photographic film assemblages of the type which includes a photosensitive layer, another layer and means releasably confining a liquid composition, the magazine preferably comprising means for processing said assemblage by causing the release of said liquid and the permeation of said liquid at least into said photosensitive layer.

The several layers of each assemblage are preferably slidably positioned within said magazinc and have, in their stored position in said magazine, a relationship permitting exposure of said photosensitive layer, and said layers, in another position in said magazine, have a relationship permitting processing of said assemblage with said container in position to discharge said liquid composition between said layers.

The magazine preferably comprises means defining a plurality of withdrawal openings from said magazine, there being one withdrawal opening for each film assemblage, a portion of each of said film assemblages extends through its associated withdrawal opening, and means are ass0- photosensitive layer 33, another layer Stand a container it. These layers are normallystored in the magazine so that the-layers :ofthe-assemblage have an exposure relationship, 1. e., one permitting exposure of the photosensitive .layer to. When the layers are in. this exposure relationsni the photosensitive layer Ell is preferably positioned so as to be facing an :exposure opening in the magazine. The other layer 34 is preferably positioned in another portion-of the magazine so that it will not interfer with the exposure of the photosensitive. layer to: actinic light.

When the layers of the assemblage are inxtheir proper relationship for. processing-of theassemblage, the-two layers of theassemblagearepreferably in face-to-face parallel relationship and the container is positioned so as to discharge it liquid between the adjacent faces of these layers. In order that thelayers of the assemblag may be positioned in this processing relationship, one of the layers is preferably provided with a leader or extension thereof. 'This leader 32 preferably extends to the .outside of the housing or magazine "1!", where it may be grasped by theuser of a camera to cause a movement of its associated layer from the position occupied by this layer when the layers are in their exposure relationship to the position occupied by this layer when the layers are in their processing relationship. "During this movement of one layer, the other layer is'preferably held stationary as by friction. This leader 32 is preferably connected to the photosensitive layer 39 and so related to the other layer 3 5 thataf-ter a predetermined movement of'the leader, the other layer is engaged'and moved along withthe photosensitive layer.

The container db for the liquid is preferably one which can, by the application of a mechanical stress ther-to, be caused to release its con- U tained liquid. A preferred-type of container is one formed so that a mechanical stress applied thereto will cause one edge of the container to be'opened to release the liquid from this edge. The container preferably extends transversely of the assemblage and has a relatively short longitudinal dimension with respect to the longitudina'l dimension of the-assemblage. A preferred container is formed of a single sheetof material which is impervious to the-liquid. The sheet is b folded upon itself and sealed on the ends and along the edge opposite the fold, the end seals being preferably stronger than the edge seal. The container is preferably stored in the magazine and is operatively associated with one of th layers, this layer preferably being a layer other than the photosensitive layer, and the container being preferably adhesively secured thereto.

The processing of the film assemblage may be accomplished by releasing the liquid from the container 23, by the application of a mechanical stress thereto, as the :lilrn assemblage is held stationary, or preferably by moving the assemblage past a portion of the magazine-adapted to apply a mechanical force to said assemblage as said assemblage moves with respect to this portion. The released liquid is also preferably spread by thisportion of themagazine, during the processingmovement, ina uniform thin layer between the photosensitive layer 30 and the other I layer 3d so as to efiect the uniform permeation 0 essing relationship.

of at least the photosensitive layer 39 by the liquid.

The processing portion of the magazine l6 preferably-comprises means 42, defining a Withdrawal -or discharge opening therefrom.

In the premi red-modification of the invention there are provided. a plurality of such assemblages and th -magazineis preferably provided with a plul'al tyof means' defining a plurality of withdrawal openings, through which the assemblages are adapted to be withdrawn, there being one opening for each assemblage. The means 42 defining a withdrawal opening preferably apply a mechanical stress to the assemblasaas itis withdrawn :therethrough by its :associated leader, .this stress acting to release the liquid from the container and to spreadthe li uid'throughout apnedetermined portion of the film assemblage to cause the processing thereof.

it isdesirable-that the means defining the-Withdrawal opening from-the magazine have a =fourfold function. It should act as a light seal. :11: should be capable of releasing the liquid .from the container. It should be able to spread the liquid uniformly. It should act-to wipe theiexcess liquid from the film unit and trap this-excess within the magazine. For the-purposes of compactness of magazine construction, the-above functions are preferably combined in a single coasting pair of'members-defining-the withdrawal opening. .Howeverit is possible :to provide ta plurality .of elements for accomplishing these functions without departing from the: scope-pf the invention. .As :an example, there may bea means for releasing the liquid, a means: for spreading the liquid and a mean tor forming a light seal, all of these meansbeingseparate .00- operating elements associated with the means. defining the opening.

In Fig. 1, there is also shown .a schematic representation of a camera 10, having a magazine holder indicated at l2. 'Intthe rear of the camera there is provided a cover 14, which maybe removed to, permit introductionof one of thenovel magazines it into the magazine holder. magazine comprises a :front portion 118 and ,a rear portionZll. Dividin these-two portions is'a wall 22. 'In the front wall of the magazine thereis provided an exposure opening 24, which'permits exposure ofthe photosensitive layer 36, positioned atthe-frontofthe magazine. ,At the bottomrear portion of the magazine there is provided an openin :2 6.

A portionpof one of the photographic assemblages is alsoshownin Fig.- 2 where like numbers correspond to like elements :of Fig. 1. .In 2 the.photosensitivelayer has been moved tosuch an extent that the layers are almost in their-procl- Consideration of "Fig. "2 along with Fig. l is helpful in an understanding of the invention. As can be seen from Fig. 1, these photosensitive layers 30 are stacked in parallel relationship in the front portion of the magazine, the foremost of these layers being in registrywith the exposure opening 24 so that it may "be-exposed by operating the usual camera shutter. Behind the stack of the photosensitive layers-there is preferably provided a backing plate 23 and a spring 2| to hold the foremost photosensitive layer flat in the focal plane of the camera.

From the top edge of the photosensitive layer 30 there extends the leader 32, which may be an integral portion of the photosensitive layer, as shown in Fig. 2, or which may be a strip of paper or cloth secured to either the front or back top edge of the photosensitive layer. This leader 32 extends into the rear portion of the magazine through the whole length thereof and out through the opening 26 in the bottom of the magazine. The leader 32 is preferably made narrower than the photosensitive layer so as to provide a shoulder 3| (shown in Fig. 2) at the junction between the leader and the photosensitive layer.

Positioned in the rear portion of the magazine are a plurality of the other layers 34. In the preferred form of the film assemblage this other layer 34 is adapted to receive and carry a positive image of the latent negative image in the photosensitive layer and is referred to hereinafter as an image-carrying layer. It is desirable to limit the amount of movement of the photosensitive layer with respect to the other (image-carrying) layer 34 so that when the photosensitive layer is moved from its exposure relationship to its processing relationship, no further relative movement of these layers is permitted. For this purpose, there is provided a means associated with the image-carrying layer 34 adapted to engage a means associated with the leader 32 or the photosensitive layer 39. In a preferred way of forming the means on the image-carrying layer, the bot-- tom edge thereof is bent back upon itself and there is provided a slit (shown more clearly in Fig. 2) suflioiently wide to permit the leader 32 to pass therethrough but not sufliciently wide to permit the photosensitive layer 30 to pass therethrough. The engaging means associated with the leader or photosensitive layer preferably comprises the shoulder til at the junction between the photosensitive layer 35! and leader 32.

In the bottom rear portion of the magazine there are provided the plurality of means defining withdrawal openings, which may be made in a number of ways and from a wide variety of materials. They can be formed of metal strips which can be placed under tension. They can be made of a metal stamping having springy tongues adapted to engage opposite outer surfaces of the composite film assemblage. In the preferred modification shown, they comprise a strip of metal 42 having a layer of a compressible light-seal material, such as felt c4, on each side thereof. Numerous materials other than felt, such as velvet or bristles, can be utilized as a light seal. In some cases the felt or velvet may serve only a lightseal function, while in other cases it may serve the function of breaking the container, spreading the liquid, and trapping the excess liquid. As can be seen from Fig. 1, each leader 52 extends between a pair of these felt-covered metal strips, these strips defining an opening which is preferably slightly smaller than the combined thickness of an image-carrying layer, a container, and a photosensitive layer. These openings serve the function of permitting the withdrawal of the film units from the magazine, the felt 44 acts to prevent the access of light to the interior of the magazine, and the means SL-ed act to release the liquid composition from the containers, spread this liquid between the photosensitive layer and the image-carrying layer, and trap any exces liquid within the magazine.

In a preferred modification of the invention the photosensitive layer 30 is formed of a photosensitive silver halide such as an emulsion of a silver halide, or a mixed silver halide, or a silver mixed halide. This emulsion is preferably coated on an opaque paper base, which is relatively cheap, and may have an integral extension constituting the leader 32. In this way it is relatively simple to manufacture a one-piece combination photosensitive layer and leader. It is possible, however, to coat the photosensitive emulsion upon a suitable base material such as cloth, paper, or cellulosic plastic, or other materials suitable for carrying photosensitive emulsion. In these latter instances the base which carries the photosensitive emulsion may or may not be integral with the leader 32. This leader may be made of paper, cloth, or ceilulosic plastic, or other materials having suffi-- cient tensile strength to permit the use of the leader for withdrawing the photosensitive layer from the forward part of the magazine to the rear part of the magazine, and for withdrawing the film assemblage through the withdrawal opening. In some cases it is desirable to coat the back surface of the base for the photosensi ive layer 30 with wax or other material capable of imparting to this surface an anti-friction surface, thus per mitting easier withdrawal of the photosensitive layer from the forward portion of the magazine.

The image-carrying layer 34 preferably comprises a sheet of opaque white paper known in the art as baryta paper, which preferably has either an opaque black paper backing Or is treated on the back side thereof with a black coating to increase its opacity to actinic light. While baryta paper is a preferred material for the image-carrying layer, many other materials can be used. It can be made of paper, gelatin, regenerated cellulose, polyhydroxy alkanes such as polyvinyl alcohol, sodium alginate, certain of the cellulose ethers, such as methyl cellulose and their derivatives such as sodium carboxymethyl cellulose or hydroxyethyl cellulose, carbohydrates such as gums or starch, and mixtures of these materials Where the latter are compatible. Where this image-carrying layer is formed of transparent plastics of the general type mentioned above, the plastics may be coated on a paper base or may be so treated that the surface to be positioned adjacent the photosensitive layer appears white by reflected light. They are also preferably provided with a backing which is opaque to actinic light. The portion 36 is preferably formed integrally with the image-carrying layer 34 and is bent upwardly during the process of manufacture. The slit 3% in the bent portion 36 is preferably formed so as to be just wide enough to permit the passage of the leader 32 therethrough. In some cases, particularly where the image-carrying layer 23 and upwardly bent tab 35 are formed of relatively thin paper, it has been found desirable to reinforce this portion of the image-carrying layer and also to reinforce the edges of the slit 38 by the use of cloth, paper, or metal inserts which prevent tearing thereof. In this connection it is also sometimes desirable to reinforce the junction between the shoulder 34 on the photosensitive layer 3% and the leader 32. The liquid container at is preferably formed of a paper-backed metal foil, coated on the inner surface thereof with a resin such as polyvinyl butyral which is inert to allaalis.

The liquid composition in the container 40 preferably comprises a developer such as hydroquinone, a. preservative such as sodium sulfite,

axfilmefcirming -subst'anee such as sodium carboxymetliyl cellulose, asilverhalidesolvent such as sodium thiosulfate, an alkali such ass'odium hydroxide, and a suificient quantity of "Water to carry the above-mentioned elements in solution. The magazine may be formed of metaL-cardboard, or molded plastic. It is preferably'of s'ufficient rigidity so that it may be handled as a unit, and should be opaque to actiniclight. in the preferred method of assembly of the abovementioned film elements and magazine, the desired number of photosensitive layers 38, with their-associated leaders d2, are placed in the forward portion of the magazine, the leaders extendingyto the rear portion. The foremost leader is then threaded through the slit 38 in the :foremost'irnage-carrying layer and is placed adjacent one of the felt-covered strips 32'44, the leader extending through the opening -26. Another strip 52 il is placed adjacent the first leader, the next leader is threaded through a slit 38 in its associated image-carrying layer, and is then placed next to the last-mentioned strip 42M. Another strip d2 3 i is then'placed next to this leader and the film pack is thus built up until the desired number of 'image-carryinglayers have been placed therein. The rear wall of the magazine is then placed in position and the magazine is ready for use. A spring element inotshownl maybe placed between the last strip 42 M and the wall "of the magazine.

In the use of the preferred modification of the invention, which has been described in connection with the discussion of Figs. 1 and 2 above, theforemost photosensitive layer 38 in the magazine is exposed to actinic light by suitably operating the shutter mechanism of the camera Ill. The user of the camera then engages that portion of the leader 32, associated with this foremost photosensitive layer, which extends through the bottom of the magazine. By pulling this leader, the photosensitive layer is pulled upwardly and over the wall 22 separating the two portions of the magazine, and moved to the rear of the rear portion and downwardly in this rear portion. As the photosensitive layer 36 moves downwardly adjacent the image-carrying layer 3 positioned in the rear of the magazine, it can-be seen that the surface of the photosensitive layer which was closest to the camera lens is now adjacent the: inner surface of the image-carrying layer 3 Fig. 2 shows the photosensitive layer 36 in a position where it has been moved from the front of the magazine to the rear portion and is moving downwardly in this rear portion. When the leader 32 is pulled downwardly somewhat more than is shown in Fig. 2, the shoulder 3| on the photosensitive layer engages the edges of the slit 38 and prevents further relative movement of the photosensitive layer iiEl with respect to the image-carrying layer 3d. Therefore, further movement of the leader 32 moves the whole film assemblage, comprising the image-carrying layer 34, the container 4! and the photosensitive layer it, into and through the opening defined by the means comprising the pair of strips 42-44. As thisfilm assemblage is pulled through this opening, the pressure on the container increases to such an extent that the liquid contained therein is forced from the container and'isdischarged between the photosensitive layer 30 and the image-carrying layer 34. Further. movement of the assemblage through the opening-causes-the strips- 3-2- l to spread thisliquid composition in :a uniform :thin layer betweenithe' photosensitive layer s and theimage-carrflying :layer. -As the assemblage is pulled completely through :the opening, any liquid which is still being spread :is wiped oif the end of the composite assemblage and adheres to'the strips 12-44. Asa result of this spreading process, the photosensitive layer is laminated to the image-carrying layer by-the viscous liquid composition. Since these two layers are preferably opaque'to actinic light, at least on the outer surface thereof, no light can penetrate to the inner photosensitive surface. Therefore, this composite lamination may be pulled from the camera directly into daylight-and the photographic process may continue unhampered by the presence of actinic light.

When the liquidilayer exists between the 8X- posed photosensitive layer and the image car-rying layer, the developer therein develops the ex posed photosensitive material, the silver halide solvent forms soluble silver complexes with the undeveloped silver halide and transfers these soluble complexes to the surface of the imageoarrying layer Where they are converted to. insoluble colloidal particles by reaction with uhused portions of the developer. After this proe= ess of positive image-formation is completed, the photosensitive layeris preferably stripped. from the image-carrying layer to reveal the finalpos-itive image. This processing may require anywhere from a few seconds to-several minutes, depending upon the chemical constituents involved.

There is thus provided a novel magazine with novel film assemblages, adaptable for use with a standard camera, which permits theproduction, in a preferred form of said assemblage, of a positive image of a subject image toward whichsaid camera is directed. As can be seen, this invention provides substantially dry development which is accomplished by asingle simple operation. No baths are needed and no special camera-or developing apparatus is required. Any excess of the viscous liquid composition is wiped from the film unit by the means deiiningthe withdrawal opening and is trapped within the disposablemagazine.

While the above description of the invention has been limited to the preferred modification thereof, the present invention is capable of considerable variations within the broad scope thereof. In connection With the construction of the magazine, a preferred form has been shown wherein the means whichdefi-ne the withdrawal openings are positioned in the bottom of the rear portion thereof. It is contemplated that these withdrawal openings may be positioned at thetop of the magazine, such construction dependingupon the particular type of camera with which .the magazine is to be used. In either case, the operation ofthe withdrawal openings is the same.

There are many other modifications possible for the means defining these withdrawal openings, and it is possible to provide a single withdrawal opening through which all of the leaders 32 are threaded. This modificationis not as desirable as the one shown in Fig. 1, since a considerable unit area of pressure is requiredfor releasing the liquid composition from the container, and this pressure, in some cases, may be sufficiently high so as tocreate a considerable friction between the film element passing through the withdrawal opening and adjacent leaders extending through the opening. This friction may be sufficient to cause a movement of these "other leaders. 'Such a modification of the invention is feasible, however, particularly where-"means are provided for increasing the resistance to wardrawal of the photosensitive layers from the forward portion of the magazine. Such a means can be a pin extending through a weakened portion in the lower edge of the photosensitive layers.

Another modification of the invention contemplates the breaking of the container and the spreading of the liquid solely by closely spaced metal members which may or may not have a certain flexibility. It is also contemplated in another modification of the invention to provide a separate pull cord capable of ripping open the container. Such a cord can be pulled from out side the magazine or may be pulled as the result of movement of one or more of the elements of the film unit.

Since the novel magazine described above is preferably sold as a unit for insertion in a camera, it is preferred to provide a cover sheet which is positioned in front of the foremost photosensitive layer 30 for the purpose of preventing access of actinic light to the photosensitive layers when this magazine is handled in daylight. Such a layer is not shown but may be easily provided by placing an opaque piece of paper in front of the foremost layer 3! within the magazine. Preferably attached to this opaque layer is a leader similar to the leaders 32, so that this cover sheet may be withdrawn from the magazine after the magazine has been inserted in the camera.

While the film assemblage has been described in connection with a preferred embodiment thereof, numerous other photosensitive materials may be utilized. The photosensitive layer may comprise a photosensitive material other than a silver halide and developers other than those mentioned above may be advantageously employed. It is also possible to utilize in the present invention processes wherein it is not desired to obtain a positive image. In such a case the liquid composition in the container 48 may comprise materials for developing or developing and fixing a negative with no emphasis on producing a positive image at the same time.

It is also possible to utilize transfer processes for forming a visible image on the image-carrying layer other than those discussed above. For

instance, it is feasible to utilize a liquid composition which includes no silver halide solvent and to include on the image-carrying layer a substance capable of forming a positive image by reaction with unreacted portions of a developer utilized for developing the latent negative image in the photosensitive layer. This substance may be an oxidizing agent which is capable of oxidizing portions of the developer which are unoxidize by reaction with the photosensitive material in the negative photosensitive layer. If the developer is a color-forming developer, a positive image in terms of oxidized developer is obtained upon the image-carrying layer. It is equally possible to use a reducible metal salt on the imagecarrying layer, this salt being selectively reduced to form a positive image by unreacted portions of the developer. In both of the above methods it is desirable to provide some means for positively assuring selective reaction of the developer before the developer is made available for the positive image-forming reaction. A satisfactory means of accomplishing this purpose is the provision of a slowly permeable layer coated on the surface of the image-carrying layer.

The invention has been described in connection with the use of a liquid composition which includes all of the elements necessary to process the film unit. This liquid composition may, however, include only water or an aqueous solution of a film-forming material, and the other substances, such as hydroquinone, hypo, etc., may be coated in solid form on the image-carrying layer where they can be subsequently dissolved as the liquid composition is spread in contact with the image-carrying layer. It is also possible to include some of the active ingredients in the liquid composition and to coat other of the active ingredients on the image-carrying layer, all of these modifications being within the scope of the present invention.

In some cases it is desirable to leave a portion of the film unit between the means defining the withdrawal opening from the magazine. This desirable in those cases wherein the rigidity of the means defining the opening is obtained partially from the casing of the magazine, that is, in those cases where the means defining the opening are in themselves quite flexible and their rigidity is obtained by being stacked in the open-- ing of the magazine. In the modification of Fig. l, the various leaders extending through the withdrawal openings add a certain bulk to the total thickness of the felt-covered strips defin ing these openings and resist any bending movement which might occur due to the passage of a film assemblage between an adjacent pair of felt-covered strips. If, during the processing, most of these leaders are removed, the efiective pressure which can be applied to the last few film assemblages may be decreased. it is contemplated therefore to leave Within the withdrawal opening a member having substantially the same thickness and compressibility as the leader 32 for the purpose of maintaining this structural rigidity. Such a member may be a portion of or attached to either the photosensitive layer or the image-carrying layer. This feature of the invention is shown at the top of Fig. 2 wherein there is shown a member 53 which may be assumed to be the top-most portion of the image-carrying layer 34. As can be seen, this member 56 has transversely extending shoulders 48 which impart to this member 56 a greater transverse dimension than the remainder thereof. When these shoulders are moved to the withdrawal openings, they cannot pass completely therethrough since the exit from the withdrawal opening, in this case, is made narrower than the total transverse dimension of that portion of the member 50 encompassed by the shoulders. Therefore, this portion 48 of the member Ed] is held Within the withdrawal opening and may be separated from the remainder of the assemblage by tearing along a weakened portion diagrammatically shown at 52. This member 50 may be, as mentioned above, either a portion of the image-carrying layer 34 or a portion of the photosensitive layer 38, or may be a separate member attached to one or the other of these two layers. It preferably has substantially the same thickness and compressibility as the leader 32 so that, as the individual film assemblages are withdrawn, the unused withdrawal openings neither gain nor lose their effective size or structural rigidity. This modification of the invention of the invention may also have utility in preventing loss of light seal value of a compressible material such as felt due to its taking a permanent set under prolonged compression.

It is of course apparent that if the means defining the opening, such as the felt-covered strips 4244, have in themselves sufiicient rigidity and do not depend upon the rigidity of the magazine i walls, such. a modification of the: composite film unit is. not. necessary.

In. another modification of the: invention, a somewhat similar magazine is. employed, the photosensitive layers being: situated in the front portion and the image-carrying layers being in the rear portionthereof. In this case, however, the leaders are. connected to. the image-carrying layers and are slidably joined to the photosensitivelayers. In. this. modification, the containers are. preferably associated with the photosensitive layers. Since, in practicing the invention itis desirable to contact the. liquid with. the surface ofthe.photosensitiveemulsion which. is first exposed to light, itis desirable tOhaVetheleader adjacent that surfaceof the photosensitive layer which, is nearest thecamera lens. This. leader, therefore, should either be transparent, .to permit exposure therethrough, or be positionedadjacent. the edges of. the photosensitive layerso asrnotto interfere with. the exposure of the photosensitive layer. In this. case, the. withdrawal openingsin the magazine are associated with the front portion. thereof: and; the leaders of. the various film assemblagesare threaded. through these openings.

This latter modification. of the invention is shown; schematically and diagrammatically in Figs. 3 and 4. In. these figures, Fig. 3 is anexaggerated.crossesectional .view of a magazineembodying a, number'of' filmassemblagesshowing this modification of the invention, while Fig. 4: isafront ViBVKOf one of the assemblages showing in. more detail: one modification of the leader which may be utilized for-accomplishing the purpose of theinvention; InFig. 3 there isschematically represented. a: camera 54 having a magazine holder. 56 containing. a magazine, generally represented by numeral 58. This. magazine1has;.arear portionfil and a. front portion 52-.whichhaveconnectedto the top edge thereof leaders. fi l; Each. of' theseleaders 364; may be. a sheet. of transparent plastic,.such.as'a.sheet of celluloseacetate, extendingthrough theslit 6.8

.inlthetab 66; of the photosensitive layer, or the leader'maycomp-rise a pair of.'leaders. (as shown inFig. 4) formed of paper, cloth, or. othermasterials, extending. throughthe slit, or pair of slits, .68= in the. tab .66. In. Fig, 4 the leader- 64 is shown. as. havingv moved the image-carrying layer. impartially. from the. rear portionof: the magazine. On the lower. foremost surface of each photosensitive layerthere is. preferably provided a container1'il...having1 therein aliquid composition. Thisv container. may be secured to the photosensitive. layers, such as:by.- the use of suitable-adhesives. The leader: 64 .extends be.- tween means 42-44" defining a withdrawal opening.

In apreferredmodification of the invention shownin Figs. 3 and- 4, the" various elements may be formed of materials statedas being preferable for like elements of the embodiment of theinvention shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

In the-useofthe modification of the invention showninF-igs. 3- and 4, the photosensitivevlayer 611 exposed: to a. subjectimage by: operating theshutter 01. thecamera 5.4.. The-leader. 614;

12 associated with the foremost photosensitive-lay.- er, is then withdrawn by the user Offthe camera, thus moving the image-.carryinglayer from. the rear portion. of the magazine to the frontportion, and in face-.to-face engagement with: the photosensitive layer 60. Further movement of the leader 64 brings the image-carrying layer into. engagement with the edgesv offthe slit. 58 and causes the photosensitive layer, the contain:- er, and image-carrying layerto move downwardly and through the means defining the opening forthe purposeof processing-the film assemblage.

The processing of this type ofjfilm assemblage is similar to. that mentioned in connection with the discussion of Figs. 1 and 2. The movement of the film assemblage through the meansdefining the opening acts to release the liquid. com,- position from the container and: to spread it in a uniform thin layer between the image-carrying layer and the photosensitive. layer. As previ ously described, this layer of liquid, composition develops the latent negative-image and produces a positive image on the surface of the imagecarryinglayer. After apredetermined ,timefor the above processing to be completed, the photo: sensitive layer is. stripped from the image-carrying layer so as. to reveal the positive image.

Another modification of the invention, which is similar to that of Figs. 1-. and 2 wherein the leaders arefixedly connected to the photosensitive layers, is shown in Fig. 5 This modification contemplates the use of containers which are staggered with relationshipto each other in the rear fortion ofthe magazine. This arrangement permits a thinner rear portion for the magazine, since the thickness of the variousv con.- tainers maybe uniformly distributed throughout the Whole length of the magazine rather than in one portion thereof. In this case each leader is preferably. slidably connected to its associated container and each container is slidably mounted with respect toits associated image-carrying layer. The leader is also preferably; slidablycone nected to the image-carrying layer.

In Fig. 5, where like numbers correspond to like elements of Figs. 1 and 2, there isprovided the usual supply of photosensitive layers-33in the front portion of the magazine. The photosensitive layers 30 are provided with a leader 32 which extends tothe rear portion of :the magas zinc and through a slit 38- in atab 36 on the bottom portion. of the image-carrying layer 34; As can be seen, there area plurality of. containers provided in the rear portion of theuma-gazine, these conatiners, being; staggered; with re? spect to each other. These containers may be secured very lightly, if desired, ,to'their respective image-carrying, layers but such is not. essential, the pressure of the various mater-ials-inthe rear portion being ordinarily sufficient to hold; these containers in their staggered positions. Each container 80 .has; a tab 82' on alower; portion thereof, this tab havinga. slit slltherein. The leader 3,2 is threaded through the. slit: 3a in the tab 82 and also extends through the slit 38? in the tabSB. of the. image-carryinglayer; Many materials are usable for. these'various elements of'thefilm, unit described above and. are generally the sameas thosementioned in connection with the description of corresponding. elements in Figs. 1 and 2.

Inthe: use ofstheinvention shown in Fig. 5, thexforemostv photosensitive layer Sims-exposed to actinic light. The. corresponding leader. 32;.is then pulleddownwardlysfrom the. magazine; and;

as a result of this movement, the photosensitive layer 30 is withdrawn from the forward portion of the magazine to the rear portion. As the shoulder 3| on the photosensitive layer moves downwardly in this rear portion, it first engages the edges of the slit 84, associated with the container 8i), and moves the container 86 downwardly along with it. The container and the shoulder 3| then engage the edges of the slit 3% in the tab 36 of the image-carrying layer, and thereafter the image-carrying layer moves as a unit with the photosensitive layer 39 and the container 80. These elements are pulled through the means defining the opening of the bottom of the magazine, thus releasing the liquid composition from the container 80 and spreading it in a uniform thin layer between the imagecarrying layer 34 and the photosensitive layer 30 to accomplish the development or the latent negative image and the production of the positive image on the surface of the image-carrying layer.

While the above modifications of the invention have been described in connection with the preferred forms thereof, it is equally possible to provide a plurality of the novel film elements in a type of magazine which is not equipped with means at the withdrawal point thereof for processing the film unit. In such a case the opening or openings may be so designed as only to form a light seal therefrom, and may not have such rigidity, with respect to the releasability of the liquid from the container, as to release this liquid when the film assemblage is withdrawn from the magazine. In such a case, the camera is preferably provided with means for applying a mechanical stress to the film assemblage. Such a means may comprise a pair of pressure rollers through which the individual leaders may be fed, or may comprise a pair of pressure plates or a pair of felt-covered metal members, similar to those shown in the previous modification of the invention. This type of construction is perfectly feasible, but is not preferred, due to the fact that it usually requires an excess of paper within the film assemblage to provide for some trapping of the excess liquid composition; otherwise, the pressure-applying means, if permanently attached to the camera, might become filled up with the excess liquid composition, thereby interfering with the uniform spreading of the liquid composition in the subsequent film assemblages.

In some cases it may be desirable to utilize transparent photosensitive layers, such as those ordinarily sold in the form of cut film, wherein the photosensitive emulsion is cast onto a transparent cellulosic film base, such as cellulose acetate. In such a modification of the invention it is desirable to provide some means for preventing the light used to expose the foremost photosensitive layer in the magazine from penetrating through that photosensitive layer to the photosensitive layers adjacent thereto. A preferred form of the invention for use with transparent photosensitive films is one wherein the leaders, utilized in drawing the photosensitive layers from the forward portion of the magazine to, the rear portion of the magazine, also act as light-tight barriers between the various photosensitive layers. In such a case, each leader is slidably connected to its associated photosensitive layer so as to permit relative movement of the leader with respect to the photosensitive layer prior to the time when the photosensitive layer is engaged by the leader and moved to the rear portion of the magazine. Such a modification of the invention is shown in Figs. 6 and 7, Fig. 6 being a fragmentary diagrammatic sectional representation of this modification of the invention as applied to the invention described in connection with the discussion of Figs. 1 and 2. Fig. '7 is a fragmentary front view of the preferred form of the invention shown in Fig. 6.

In a preferred form of this modification, as shown in Fig. 6, where lilre numbers correspond to like elements in Figs. 1 and 2, there is provided the usual magazine it having an exposure opening 24. In the front portion of the magazine are a plurality of transparent photosensitive layers 3t. In the rear portion of the magazine there are a plurality of image-carrying layers 3 These image-carrying layers have associated therewith a plurality of containers 49. Connecting the photosensitive layer with its associated image-carrying layer is a leader 32. This leader 32 has associated with it a portion 33 which is adapted to be positioned adjacent the face of the photosensitive layer 33 and to exclude actinic light from this photosensitive layer. The leader 32-33 is threaded through a slit 32' near the top edge or the photosensitive layer so. On the trailing edge of the leader there is provided a pair of shoulders 35 which make the effective transverse dimension of the l ader 33 wider than the slit 3?. In the rear bottom portion of the magazine there are provided the usual feltcovered strips ib-M defining the withdrawal opening through which the leader 3?. extends.

Since the processing of a photographic film assemblage of the type described above ordinarily requires a certain amount of time for its completion before the reaction can proceed in the presence of actinic light, it is desirable to provide a dark chamber, positioned at the exit from the magazine, so that the processing reaction may take place free from any actinic light which would tend to spoil the positive image. This dark chamber 2? may be furnished as either a portion of the magazine or as part of the camera. As can be seen, each leader extending through the opening from the magazine passes through the length of the dark chamber and is threaded through a light tight opening 35 in the bottom of the darlr. chamber.

The materials utilized in the construction of the modification described above are preferably similar to those mentioned in connection with corresponding elements of the invention described previously in the discussion of Figs. 1 and 2.

The portion 32 of the leader 32-33 may be made considerably narrower than the portion 33, or may be composed of several strips. Instead of providing the tab 36, having the slit 33 therein, a staple, having sufiicient width to straddle the leader 3233, may be driven through the bottom portion of the image-carrying layer 34, and the leader 32 may be threaded through this staple. Any other suitable means for forming a slidable connection between leader 32-33 and the layers as and 30 may be equally provided.

In the use of this modification of the invention, when it is desired to expose the foremost photosensitive layer 38 in the magazine, the leader, associated therewith, is pulled down wardly by grasping a portion thereof extending from the dark chamber 27. This leader is pulled until the shoulders 35 on the trailing edge thereof engage the edges of the slit 3! in the photosensitive layer 30. The. photosensitive layer 30 is then exposed-to asubjectim'age and 'the leader is pulled downwardlyagainto move the photosensitive layer 30 from the forward-: portion: of the magazine 1 into engagement with the inragecarrying layer 34; When the image-carrying layer; the container, and thephotosensitive-layer are positioned-in their processingrelationship by this movement of the photosensitivelayer; the assemblage :is moved -through-the opening defined by the felt-covered strips"412 and the liquid composition-is released from the container 40 and spread-between thephot'osensitive layer? and the image-carrying. layer; After the film: assemblage-hasbeen -left inthedark chamber 21 for a sufiicienttime to permit the image-forming reaction tosbe completed, it isremoved theretrom, either by continuing the pulling; of the leader, wit-hits associat'ed assemblage, through the'lighttight. opening 39 or by opening adoor which may 'bel'provided in the dark chamber.

This. modification of the invention: is :particularly adaptable for'use in a copying device w-here no: lens or. shutter is involved.- In such ause; an image to. be copied: maybe placed adjacent the exposure opening. 2 2. The portion: 33 of the leaderris removed from inirontof the foremost photosensitive layer and this photosensitive layer is? exposed to actinic. light passing through the image. to. be copied; After a suhlcient time for exposurathe source of actinic light isblocked ofi andthe film assemblageis processed-as above.

While. portion 33. of the. leader 32-" has been shown as .beingzpositioned in front of its respec tive. photosensitive layer, it isapparent that this leader may beapositioned behind its-associated photosensitive layer; In-this case, the-leader. 32 wouldlnot be moved prior, to exposure of it'sassodated-photosensitive layer.

As mentioned previously, means may: be provided; separate. from. the withdrawal" openings; for releasing the liquid from the container. In this case; the withdrawal opening may lee-used for. spreading the-released'liquid and trapping it within the magazine. One preferred-type-of re.- leasing means, separate from the spreading means, is shown-in Fig. 8 where like numbers corresp'ond toalike elements imFigs. I and-"2. In the modification shown inthis figure there is provided, in addition to the pluralityof withdrawal openings, a means for applying a mechanical stress to' a container before the container reaches the withdrawalopening. In apreferred typeof stress-applying meansthere are provided a; pair of pressure plates, at" least oneof which. is-movable towards the other for applying compression to aicontainer positioned therebetween.

In'themodification of the inventionshown in Fig; ii -which is afragmentary sectional View; there -:is provided the usualmagazi'ne it, having an opening 2%" in the bottom portion thereof. Positioned within the opening: 26 are aplurality offelt-ecovered= strips lZ-t tdefining a plurality of withdrawal openings therebetween; As can be seen, leaders 32 extend between adjacentstrips ti 31i; Positioned adjacent the withdrawal path of the filmunit from themagazinearea pair'of pressure-applyingmemberstl 'and 83. In apreferred embodiment member Bl is-fixediand member 33. is movable toward Lmember' 81. For moving member 8? a preierredmeans comprises an eccentric cam 8 3 which can beturned' around pivot point tfi by means of a key or other device extending through th'eiwall of themagazine;

Inthe' use of theamodificationzofrtheeinvention shown; Fig.2 .8; .thetz leader 322 iszpull'ed'. down-;

' the two-*layersoizthe film: assemblage.

1 6 wardl-y a'fter' exposurerofithea photosensitive: layer 3h The leader is pulled apredetermined amount; whichcan be readily ascertained by. an: increase iii-resistance to pulling and/or amarlsion. the leader; Thus the film assemblagemay be'moved to thepositi'onsh'own in Fig. 8 withthe container between the twopressure-applying members 81 832 The user of the camera then operates the key or other device to cause the member 83 to move toward member 8 This applies a sum cientpressure'to release the liquid from the cone tainer'in the direction ofthe space betweenithe exposed portion of the photosensitive layer and the image-carrying layer. The leader is then pulled again and the asssemlolage is. Withdrawn through the withdrawal opening where the released liquid isspread in auniform l'ayer between layers 3 i! andt t.

In most of the preceding discussion oi the vention the means-for releasing the liquid com position has beenshown ascomprising the means defining the opening for withdrawal of-thefilm unita'nd has comprised a pair'of' relatively fiat members defining a plane of withdrawaltherebetween; This type of withdrawalopening is preferred in" most cases; particularly where -the container fort'he liquid composition is so designed as to be readily ruptured as it is Withdrawn througlrthe opening. In some cases, however, it is desirableto" providethe' withdrawal opening: in thefo'rm' ofa tortuous passagewhich is -adapted to applyooth' a bending and a compressive-stress uponlthecontainer as it is withdrawn through this opening. Such a modification ofth'e inventionis'showirin Figs; 9 and It): As-will-be-a-pparent from a study of these two figures, this modification of 'theinvention may take" anumber oi'various' forms;

Referring now toFig; 9, wherelike numbers correspond to like elements" of" Fig.1, th'ereis shown. a fragmentary cross-sectional;view of a modification'of. the invention wherein'a tortuous Withdrawal opening is provldedfortlrefilm assemblage as it leaves the magazine. In Fig: 9 thereis shown a leader321adaptedto lie-attached to. a. photosensitive layen. notshown; this leader running along the face of'an" image-carrying layer 3'5 and. through'a' slit formed in the'upturned.- bottom edge 36 of the image 'carrying layer- There is also provided'the .usuaicontainer 401. forthe liquid composition; The means" defining the withdrawal opening for each individual filmiassemblage comprise, in a preferred modifi cation of. this form of the invention, a' pair'of metal-plates Slifbent around axes parallel to' the transversedimension ofthe container: Ascan beseen these members define a tortuous passage which in: itself affords considerable light seal to theopenin particularly. when these metalmem= bersaretreated so as to have 'ablack'nonrefle'ct ingsurface. thereon. For the additional purpose of providing more of a light" seal, a stri-p'92 of compressiblematerial such as felt may. be secured at .the outer ends of these memberstll'. This'felt stripfizalso aids in .wipin'g any excess liquid'composition from the sides and endioftheifilm assemblage. as it is withdrawn therepast;

In.the.use ofthe modification of the invention shown. in. Fig. 9, as the filr'nassemblage moves through the. withdrawal opening, .a compressive and. bending: stress is. appliedto. thecontainer, thus-releasing the sealed edges.- of the container so =asato.permit the liquidto be discharged therefrom: and. spread l inra uniform thinfilm between y nomes excess liquidcompositionbeinsrspread inthe film assemblage, as" the ends thereof pass "the'felt strip 92-, is=wiped-off the film assemblageby'the felt, thus leaving'the end andedges ofthe film assemblageclean when it is discharged" from the magazine;

In forming a plurality of withdrawalopenings by-means of the members 00, itis- -desired that these members he so spaced that the-distancetherebetween is about" the thicknesso'fthe fllin unit to be drawn therethrough-at "the" container portions or the 'film assemblage; although where materials of the film assemblage are very flex ibl'e, it may be necessary to have 'a'closer spachig for'thesemembers. It is also desirable th'at the adjacent curved surfaces of the two-members shouldcrossa plane'drawn between the entrance and exit from the withdrawal opening so'that a film assemblage drawn therethrough must be considerably deformed its passage through this opening. This-deformation of thefil'm as semblage' may, in itself; release the liquid-from the container, or; the pressure exerted on" the container by the curved surface around-whichthe'filmassemblage is' deformed may-increase the pressure within the film assemblage to such anextent that the liquid is 'released'irom the container; This-pressure, of "course; will'depend' to" a certain extentupon-the "surface friction of thematerials "utilized in'the 'film assemblage and the surface friction-of the members '90, this pres sure being low when-the frictionris'low and-high whenthefrictionis high.

In the modification of" the invention of Fig. there is shown another fOlIITOfl'the tortuous type of withdrawal'opening described in' connec* tion with'the discussion of Fig. '9 above. In this modificationof t'he invention, however, thewithdrawal'openings'are definedby spacedrods which are so'positioned, with respectto'the plane of withdrawal movement, as-to cause-the film assemblage' being withdrawn to depart from": this plane and to be subjected to a bending'stress' around a pressure-applying point. Referring specifically to. Fig. 1.0 where like numbers correspond to like elements of Figs. 1 and 9, there is provided-the usual-leader 32 which may be secured-to a photosensitive layer, not showm There is also-provided an imageecarryingi-layer 34- havingan'upturned portionthrough-which the leader 32' extends. The imageecarryingilayer also preferably has secured to its surface a container 40. For defining a tortuous withdrawal opening for the film assemblage there are provided a number of spaced rods I00, there being two rows of these rods I00, an inner and an outer row, the film assemblage being adapted to pass between a pair of rods I00 in the inner row and also between a pair of rods I00 in the outer row. Positioned between the two rows of rods I00 is another row of rods I02. As can be seen, the rods I02 are positioned so as to intersect a plane drawn between matching pairs of rods in the inner and outer rows. For the purpose of furnishing a light seal to the above structure, there is provided a light-seal coating such as felt to each of the outer rods. This coating is schematically shown at I04. This light seal I04 has the additional function, in some cases, of acting as a trap for wiping excess liquid from the film assemblage as it passes therethrough.

In the use of the modification of the invention shown in Fig. 10, as the film assemblage is withdrawn therethrough, it follows the curved path taken by the leader 32. Thus it is first bent. around the middle rod" I02, this rod exerting .ahighunit pressure upon the container '40 as the" container passes thereby. 'The film'unit is -tlienbent inan opposite direction aroundtlre outer'rod' 100': At-this'point, however, the "liq'e uid should have been" released from the containenby the pressure exerted by' rod I02" and thei'second bending of the "filmprimarily aids-in the spreadingof the liquid composition; The unit pressure applied to "the released liquid byt'he'rod I'UZin most cases acts" to spreadthis liquid as well as'to release it'. Whilethe rods IUZhave been shown-preferably as cylindrical; they may assume a'n'um'ber ofshapes. Intsome cases, where 'a' high unit pressure is desired for releasing; the. liquid from the container, the point of contact "between the rod and the unitmay be considerably sharpened so as to give thishig'h concentration; of pressure on' the film assemblage;

Thenovel magazinelhasbeen shown asa complete; housing, which, except for the exposure" opening, is completely light-tight. This isla preferredform'of magazine. However, the rear'portions ofthe magazine may be cons'iderably'cut down: so as to efi'ec't'a' saving of materials in manufacturing the magazine. In this case, the lightf-tightnessmay, be suppliedby the magazine holder on the camera. The m'a'gazine'holder may also'impart" thenecessary structural rigidity 'to' the magazine, particularly at that portion containlng the means defining the withdrawal openmgs;

While thevariousmodifications of the invention have been described in their preferred forms; 1. -e., .as 'novel'magazines and film assemblages for insertion in a camera having a'lens, it is contemplated that the invention may be employed in other devices having no lens or shutter.

Since c'ertainiichanges may'be made in-the abovei product:withoutdeparting from the scope" ofiinvention hereininvolved; it is intended that all matter contained in theabove descrip tiona or: shown in theaaccompanying drawings shall .be.-..inter;preted::as "illustrative and .not 'in a limiting sense.

Whatis-elahnenis:

1; for holding and processing a plurality'of photographic :film assemblages, each said assemblage comprising acontainer holding. a liquid composition, a print-receiving layer and a photosensitive layer, said magazine comprising a front compartment for holding a stack of the photosensitive layers of said assemblage, means defining an exposure opening in said front compartment, a rear compartment for holding a stack of the print-receiving layers of said assemblages, said front and rear compartments being separated by a common wall, said common wall providing passages for the leaders connecting the photosensitive layers and the print-receiving layers of said assemblages, the walls of one of said front and rear compartments providing .a discharge opening through which each assemblage may be withdrawn in a predetermined path, a plurality of members relatively rigidly mounted within said discharge opening, pairs of said members defining withdrawal openings, a withdrawal opening being provided for each of the assemblages, each pair of members having the members thereof spaced apart by a distance less than the thickness of the container portion of the assemblage when the latter is assembled for processing and being capable of applying a sufliicient compression to said assemblage to spread liquid released from the container within said' assemblage upon movement of said assemblage through said opening, and a third compartment connecting with said discharge opening of said front and rear compartments for receiving the assemblages as they are withdrawn through said opening and for storing the assemblages while the released liquid processes the photosensitive layer of each of said assemblages, said third compartment being in light-tight association with said front and rear compartments and having a light-tight withdrawal passage through which the assemblages may be withdrawn.

2. A magazine for holding and processing at least one film assemblage, said assemblage comprising a container holding a. liquid composition, a print-receiving layer and a photosensitive layer, said magazine comprising a front compartment for holding the photosensitive layer of said assemblage, means defining an exposure position for said photosensitive layer in said front compartment, a rear compartment for holding the print-receiving layer of said assemblage, said front and rear compartments being separated by a common wall, said common wall providing a passage for the leader connecting the photosensitive layer and the print-receiving'layer of said assemblage, the walls of one of said front and rear compartments providing a discharge opening through which said assemblage may be withdrawn in a predetermined path, processing means comprising at least a pair of members relatively rigidly mounted adjacent said discharge opening, said members defining a processing station in the path of withdrawal of said assemblage, said members being so spaced apart and related to one another as to be able to apply a sufficient compression to sai assemblage as it is drawn between said members to spread liquid released from the container within said assemblage upon movement of said assemblage through said discharge opening, and a third compartment connected with said discharge opening of said front and rear compartments for receiving said assemblage as it is withdrawn through said opening and for storing the assemblage while the released liquid processes the photosensitive layer of saidassemblage, said third compartment be- 50 ing in light-tight association with said front and rear compartments and comprising means through which said assemblage may be withdrawn from said third compartment.

3. The magazine of claim 2 wherein there are two of said members spaced apart by a distance less than the thickness of the container portion of the assemblage when the latter is assembled for processing.

- 4. The magazine of claim 2 wherein said members comprise an inner row of bars, an outer row of bars and an intermediate row of bars, said intermediate row of bars being staggered with respect to at least one of the other rows of bars.

5. The magazine of claim 4 wherein light-seal material is associated with at least one of said rows of bars.

6. The magazine of claim 2 wherein said members comprise a pair of similarly curved elements of generally sinusoidal shape whose direction of curvature changes a plurality of times, each said pair of curved elements defining a curved path of travel for the assemblage as it is withdrawn, the curvature imparted to said assemblage being sufiicient to rupture the container thereof and to spread its contents within said assemblage.

'7. The magazine of claim 2 wherein said members comprise a pair of pressure elements, one of said elements being movable toward the other, means extending through one of the Walls of said magazine for moving said movable element to apply a sufficient compression to a container positioned between said elements to release the liquid contents thereof within said assemblage.

8. The magazine of claim '7 which includes, in addition to said elements, a pair of members positioned within the discharge opening, said pair of members being spaced apart by a distance less than the thickness of the container portion of the assemblage and being operative to apply a sufiicient compression to said assemblage to spread the released liquid within the assemblage as said assemblage is withdrawn through the opening.

EDWIN H. LAND.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 739,240 Wachtl Sept. 15, 1903 1,256,247 Newman Feb. 12, 1918 2,495,111 Land Jan. 17, 1950 

